Ina Garten

Turkey Bolognese Ina Garten

8 months ago
Read Time: 5 minutes
by Emily
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The Barefoot Contessa, or Ina Garten, is famous for her easy-to-follow recipes that even the most inexperienced cook can master. Her turkey bolognese is a popular choice because it is a healthier alternative to traditional Italian meat sauce.

In this post, we’ll investigate Turkey Bolognese Ina Garten bolognes from every angle, including its origins, components, and a detailed recipe for making it at home. Whether you’re cooking for yourself on a weeknight or hosting a dinner party for a large group, Ina’s turkey bolognese will be a hit with everyone. Let’s dive in and figure out what makes this sauce so special for pasta.

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💓 Why You’ll Love This Turkey Bolognese Ina Garten

Ina Garten’s turkey bolognese is fantastic for a variety of reasons. Simply to name a few examples:

Healthier twist: Ina’s turkey bolognese is a healthier alternative to traditional Italian meat sauce because it is made with ground turkey rather than beef. Turkey is an excellent option for people maintaining their weight or seeking a healthier alternative to beef because it has less fat and less calories.
Simple to prepare: This dish calls for no unusual equipment or difficult-to-find ingredients. This dish is perfect for the inexperienced cook who wants to treat their loved ones to a tasty and filling lunch at home.
Versatile: Serve it over spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne—turkey Ina’s bolognese is adaptable to any shape of pasta. You can also serve it over roasted vegetables or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.

Flavorful: Ina’s turkey bolognese is a healthier alternative to the classic beef version, but it doesn’t sacrifice flavor. An aromatic base, tomato puree, and fresh herbs come together to form a sauce that will make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Leftovers: This recipe is perfect for preparing ahead of time and then reheating for a fast and easy weeknight meal. Because it can be frozen, you can prepare a large quantity and store some for later.

What Is Turkey Bolognese Ina Garten Recipe?

The traditional Italian meat sauce can be replaced with a turkey bolognese for a lighter and healthier alternative. Ina Garten’s recipe for turkey bolognese is an excellent and simple way to prepare this dish.

🍝 Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 1/4 cups dry red wine
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound pasta, such as spaghetti or rigatoni
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

🔪How To Make Turkey Bolognese

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
Add the chopped onion to the pan with the turkey and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent.
Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Add the red wine to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the wine has reduced by half.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper to the pan and stir to combine.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.

While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the nutmeg, chopped basil, and heavy cream to the pan and stir to combine.
Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta with the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese.

💭Recipe Tips

You can create Ina Garten’s turkey bolognese by following these helpful hints that are included in the recipe:

Make sure the ground turkey you use has at least 7% fat in it. Because of this, the meat will not become tough and dry during the cooking process but will instead remain juicy and soft.
Make sure the onion is chopped very finely so that it can cook at the same rate as the ground turkey.

For the recipe, you need use a dry red wine of good quality. It is possible to use a dry red wine from any location, but Chianti or another Italian red wine is what Ina recommends using for this recipe.
If you like things on the spicy side, you may make the sauce spicier by increasing the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or adding a dash of cayenne pepper.
While the sauce is cooking, exercise patience. The longer you simmer it, the more flavors will develop, and the sauce will grow thicker as a result of the extended cooking time.

Do not omit the nutmeg from the sauce since it brings a delicate sweetness to the dish that perfectly complements the tanginess of the tomatoes.
If you intend to serve the sauce with spaghetti, you might find it helpful to use tongs to toss the pasta in the pan with the sauce before serving. Because of this, the pasta will have a better chance of being evenly coated with the sauce.
You can prepare the sauce in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days, or you can freeze it and use it for up to three months after defrosting it. Simply ensure that it is warmed over low heat on the stove, and if necessary, add a small amount of water or chicken broth to help thin it down.

🍴 What To Serve With Turkey Bolognese?

Zucchini Noodles: Make a healthier version of the traditional dish by exchanging regular pasta for zucchini noodles. This will result in a dish that is lower in calories.
Polenta: Polenta, once it’s been cooked, provides a fantastic side dish and is the ideal complement to a turkey bolognese.
Roasted Vegetables: To accompany your bolognese sauce, try roasting a selection of your favorite seasonal veggies and serving them alongside the sauce.

Green Salad: A straightforward green salad is an excellent approach to infuse the meal with a sense of vivacity and refreshment.
Roasted Potatoes: The recipe benefits from the addition of roasted potatoes thanks to the dish’s pleasingly crunchy texture.
Mushrooms cooked in butter: Adding mushrooms cooked in butter to your turkey bolognese is a delicious touch.

Focaccia: You may either make your own focaccia bread or get it from the shop to serve as a delightful accompaniment to your bolognese.
Bruschetta: Adding bruschetta to the dish is an excellent method to give it a fresh and tangy taste.

🥶 How To Store Leftovers

Some suggestions for storing your turkey bolognese leftovers:

Refrigerator: Turkey bolognese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days if covered tightly in an airtight container and eaten within that time frame.

Freezer: If you make a lot of turkey bolognese and have leftovers, you can keep them for a long time in the freezer. Once the sauce has cooled, store it in an airtight container or a zip-top bag that can withstand freezing temperatures. Freeze for up to three months after labeling the container with the date.

Meal prep: Turkey bolognese is a versatile leftover that may be used in a variety of ways, including meal prepping. The sauce can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days or frozen for 3 months if stored in individual containers.

Pasta bake: Cooked pasta and turkey bolognese can be combined to form a pasta bake. Bake the pasta and sauce in a casserole dish until hot and the cheese is melted and bubbling.

🌡️ How To Reheat Leftovers

Reheating leftover turkey bolognese can be done in the following ways:

Stove: To reheat turkey bolognese, place in a pot and heat over medium-low heat, stirring regularly, until hot. If the sauce has become too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.

Microwave: To reheat in the microwave, use a microwave-safe container with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap to cover the leftover turkey bolognese. Heat in microwave for 1–2 minutes on high, stirring once.
Oven: Heat oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Place the turkey bolognese in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Put in the oven and bake for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Slow cooker: You may reheat the turkey bolognese in a slow cooker on low for two to three hours. Be sure the sauce is heated uniformly by stirring it occasionally.

Reheat the turkey bolognese to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) before serving, no matter what method you use. When reheating sauce that has thickened in the fridge, a little bit of water or chicken stock can help.

FAQ Section

What is the difference bolognese and meat sauce?

Tomatoes, onions, garlic, ground beef, and seasonings go into making the classic Italian sauce known as Bolognese. Pasta is a common accompaniment. Meat sauce is a catch-all word for any sauce that features ground beef as an ingredient, including but not limited to chili, red sauce, and ragu.

What cuts of meat are good for bolognese?

Ground beef, hog, and/or veal are the most traditional and flavorful cuts of meat to use when making a traditional Bolognese sauce. The sauce acquires a richer flavor and consistency as a result of the combination of all three ingredients.

How Long To Bake Turkey Bolognese?

It will take around 35 to 40 minutes to bake turkey Bolognese, but the exact time will vary on the recipe that you use.

Should You Cover Turkey Bolognese While Baking?

No, the turkey bolognese casserole should not have its lid covered while it is baking. Stovetop cooking is the preferred method for preparing turkey bolognese rather than oven cooking. If you are baking the bolognese in a dish that is safe for the oven, cover it with aluminum foil. This will prevent the sauce from drying out and scorching throughout the baking process.

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